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“It was an incredible feeling and those days when you feel that hurt and that loss you really bottle it up and remember it to drive you on. Lucky enough since then we've been successful and we’ve a very motivated and driven group that are continuously looking to learn and grow, adapt.

“Losing that game against Mayo probably drove me on, motivated me. And then not being involved in 2014, not being able to do anything.

“And the actual loss of not being able to train and be involved with the group and involved with guys that you’ve developed a special bond with it.

“I’ve been playing with teams all the way up, so that just made me appreciate the game a lot more.

“All of these different challenges have an impact on you and motivate you to be the best player you can be and the best person you can be as well.”

Shortly after that Mayo game, Kilkenny set off for Australia having been signed by AFL outfit Hawthorn only for the pull of playing for Dublin to prove too strong.